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Meaning & use

triumphant

adjective·Academic

Last updated

UK/traɪˈʌmfənt/
US/traɪˈʌmfənt/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Having won or succeeded, and showing great joy or pride because of it.

    Grammar: Describes people and their expressions: a triumphant smile.

    Patterns

    • triumphant over something
    • a triumphant smile

    The triumphant team lifted the trophy above their heads.

    She wore a triumphant grin after the final exam.

    He stayed triumphant even after the tough match.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Marking or celebrating a great victory or achievement.

    Grammar: Describes events: a triumphant return.

    Patterns

    • a triumphant return
    • a triumphant performance

    The singer made a triumphant return to the stage.

    It was a triumphant evening for the whole school.

    The film received triumphant reviews.

Word forms

comparativemore triumphant
superlativemost triumphant

Common combinations

triumphant return
The captain's triumphant return thrilled fans.
triumphant smile
She gave a triumphant smile as she crossed the line.
triumphant cry
A triumphant cry rose from the crowd.
emerge triumphant
After a long fight, she emerged triumphant.
triumphant mood
The office was in a triumphant mood after the deal.

Synonyms and how they differ

victorious
Victorious states that someone won, while triumphant adds visible joy or pride.
jubilant
Jubilant stresses loud happiness and may not involve winning.
exultant
Exultant is more literary and means overjoyed, often boastfully.
successful
Successful is plain and neutral, with none of the celebration that triumphant carries.

Opposites

defeatedhumble

Word family

triumph noun
a great success or victory
triumph verb
to win or succeed greatly
triumphantly adverb
in a joyful, victorious way
triumphal adjective
made or done to celebrate a victory

Commonly confused: triumphant or triumphal?

triumphant vs triumphal

Triumphal describes things made to mark a victory, like an arch, while triumphant describes a person feeling victorious.

Practice

After scoring the winning goal, he ran across the field with a ___ shout.

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